August 20, 2014 at
8:00 AM

8/20 Cup of Coffee: Pawtucket cruised to an easy victory thanks to the arm of one of the systems best pitching prospects. Portland and the GCL Sox held on to one run victories while the rest of the affiliates had a down evening. The New York Penn League All-Star game ended in a tie, despite the efforts of four members of the Spinners.

Anthony Ranaudo(pictured, above) continued his stellar season by collecting his 14th win on Tuesday. The 24-year-old right-hander tossed six shutout innings, allowing seven hits and a walk while striking out four. John Ely hurled three scoreless innings of relief to pick up his first save.

The PawSox offense was led by Garin Cecchini and Justin Henry, who were both 2 for 4 with a double and two RBI. Ryan Lavarnway was 2 for 2 with with an RBI and two walks as he continues to stay hot since the All-Star break, hitting .366/.519/.415 in 13 games. Jackie Bradley Jr., in his second game since being optioned to Pawtucket, went 2 for 5 from the top of the order.

After falling into an early 4-1 hole, Portland continued to chip away at the deficit and pulled ahead in the eighth inning on a Keury De La Cruz solo home run. Carson Blair hit a game tying solo home run in the sixth, and Stefan Welch added a two-run home run in the second inning.

Luis Diaz received the start for the Sea Dogs, tossing 5 2/3 innings, allowing four runs on six hits and two walks while striking out five. Pete Ruiz picked up the win in relief, throwing two scoreless innings, allowing three hits and a walk. Noe Ramirez collected his 14th save for 1 1/3 scoreless innings to finish the game. Ramirez is now 14 for 17 in save opportunities and carries a 2.12 ERA through 38 appearances. Portland clinched a spot in the playoffs with the victory.

Joe Gunkel dropped to 2-5 on the season as he had a tough outing. The 22-year-old right-hander allowed six runs on six hits and a walk in just two innings. Taylor Grover was stellar in relief, spinning four scoreless innings, allowing just three hits while punching out seven. Madison Younginer added two scoreless innings of relief in the loss.

The bulk of the Red Sox production came from the middle of the order, as Jantzen Witte(pictured, right) went 3 for 4 with two doubles and two runs scored, and Mario Martinez went 3 for 4 with a home run, two RBI and two runs scored. Manuel Margot was 2 for 4 as he continues to hit well after his promotion to Salem.

Daniel McGrath dropped to 5-6 as he lasted just 2 2/3 innings, allowing six runs on three hits and seven walks, striking out a pair. Sergio Gomez added 4 1/3 innings of relief, allowing two runs on seven hits and two walks, striking out four. Mike Adams added two innings of scoreless relief out of the bullpen.

Sam Travis was 1 for 4 with a double and two RBI. Tim Roberson was 1 for 5 with a two-run home run in the fourth inning. Danny Bethea went 4 for 5 with two runs scored to lead the Greenville offense. The Drive were just 3 for 15 with runners in scoring position, leaving 11 men on base.

Four members of the Lowell Spinners made their way into the New York Penn League All-Star game on Tuesday evening, helping the North All-Stars play to a 1-1 tie. Danny Mars started in center field, going 0 for 3. Mauricio Dubon entered the game as a replacement, going 0 for 1 in his lone at-bat. Jordan Betts received the opportunity to pinch-hit late in the game, collecting a single in his only at-bat of the evening.

On the mound Carlos Pinales pitched the eighth inning, setting the side down in order. The game was the first tie in the eight year history of the New York Penn League All-Star game, as each side used each of its ten pitchers.
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Dedgar Jimenez picked up the victory for five innings of work, allowing two runs (one earned) on five hits, punching out six. 2014 12th round selection Jalen Beeks made his professional debut, tossing two scoreless innings of relief, allowing two hits and striking out three. Pat Goetze collected his second save by notching the final two outs of the contest.

Derek Miller and Victor Acosta both had two hits, including a two-run home run each. Rafael Devers was 2 for 3 with an RBI single.
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The DSL Sox were unable to clinch a playoff spot, losing to the second place Giants 5-3. The Red Sox magic number remains at 1, as they sit four games ahead of the Giants in the BC South Division.

Emmanuel De Jesus allowed two runs on five hits in three innings as the Red Sox starter. Jervis Torrealba pitched well in relief, allowing just one hit and two walks in four scoreless innings. Alejandro Rodriguez was tagged with the loss, allowing three runs on three hits and a walk in 1 2/3 innings of relief.

The DSL Sox were aided by three Giants errors, as they were 0 for 7 with runners in scoring position. Juan Hernandez led the offense by going 2 for 4 with two singles.

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Player of the Day:Anthony Ranaudo, moved to 14-4 on the season by shutting out Lehigh Valley over six scoreless innings, scattering seven hits while striking out four. Ranaudo, who made his major league debut earlier this month, has had a superb 2014 season, compiling a 2.46 ERA in 23 starts. The 24-year old has especially enjoyed pitching at McCoy Stadium, going 7-3 with a 1.76 ERA in 12 starts at home.